Ohtani interpreter's jail sentence, Amorim's Rashford jibe; Trump to save golf?
Published: 8:30am, 7 Feb 2025
Carabao Cup holders Liverpool stormed into the final as they demolished Tottenham 4-0 at Anfield in their semi-final second leg.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, they took the lead on the night after 34 minutes through Cody Gakpo before Mohamed Salah netted from the spot six minutes after half-time.
Dominic Szoboszlai effectively sealed the tie with the third of the night, and Virgil van Dijk headed in the fourth from a corner.
The Carabao Cup was the last trophy won under previous manager Jurgen Klopp, while the Reds are hoping this could be the first leg of a potential Quadruple. However, they meet Newcastle United in the final , whose long-suffering supporters will be hoping this can be the occasion they finally end their 56-year trophy drought. Marcus Rashford has left boyhood club Manchester United to join Aston Villa on loan. Photo: AFP 'My decision'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
2 days ago
- RTHK
Liverpool complete record swoop for Leverkusen's Wirtz
Liverpool complete record swoop for Leverkusen's Wirtz Florian Wirtz played a major part in Bayer Leverkusen's first-ever Bundesliga title win. Photo: AFP Liverpool completed the blockbuster signing of Germany forward Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday in a deal which could reportedly rise to a Premier League record fee. It was reported in England that the Premier League champions will pay an initial £100 million for Wirtz, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay. A further £16 million in performance-related add-ons would make it a British record deal. However, reports in Germany suggested the fee could be even higher, starting at 130 million euros (£111 million) with add-ons taking it to 150 million euros. One of European football's elite young stars, Wirtz has been hailed as one of the "best in the world" by former Leverkusen coach and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is the new boss of Real Madrid. "I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me. This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League," Wirtz told the club's website. "In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious." The 22-year-old played a crucial role in Leverkusen's greatest season as they claimed a first-ever Bundesliga title and the German Cup in 2023/24 without losing a single game under Alonso. Their only defeat that season, during which Wirtz was crowned Bundesliga player of the year, came in the Europa League final to Atalanta, denying Leverkusen a memorable treble. Bayern Munich restored their grip on the German game last season, with Leverkusen a distant second, and Wirtz is joining an exodus from the BayArena. Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong has already made the move from Leverkusen to Liverpool last month. After largely keeping their powder dry in the transfer market during Arne Slot's first season in charge, the Reds are splashing out to strengthen a side that romped to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is poised to make the move to Anfield in a £40 million deal. Liverpool have also been linked with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Where Wirtz fits into Slot's plans remains to be seen. He largely played behind a central striker at Leverkusen and has operated from a wider role for Germany. A return of 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen is evidence that he carries a threat both as a creator and a goalscorer. Liverpool are already blessed with an abundance of forward options, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all offering a goal threat. However, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa now face even stiffer competition to get into Slot's starting line-up, raising the prospect of Liverpool selling some of that trio to free up further transfer resources. (AFP)
RTHK
2 days ago
- RTHK
Salah firm favourite to win PFA's Player of Year award
Salah firm favourite to win PFA's Player of Year award Mohamed Salah, centre, has been delivering on the goals front for the Reds. File photo: Reuters Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was among six players nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Men's Player of the Year award on Friday. The 33-year-old played a key role in Liverpool's Premier League title triumph last season with 29 goals and 18 assists. The Egyptian star was voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association – securing almost 90 percent of the votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century – and is the firm favourite to land the PFA prize. Salah is joined on the shortlist by Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister, Arsenal's Declan Rice, Cole Palmer of Chelsea, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Palmer, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2023-24, was a surprise choice for the list given his struggles for Chelsea last season. Rice starred in midfield for Arsenal, hitting a career-high nine goals while adding 10 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions. Sweden striker Isak scored 23 goals for Newcastle as they qualified for the Champions League and ended a 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup. Fernandes was one of United's few bright spots in the club's worst top-flight campaign since 1973-74, with eight league goals and 10 assists. This year's awards ceremony will be held in Manchester on August 19. (AFP)
RTHK
4 days ago
- RTHK
Liverpool's return to HK 'to get close to fans'
Liverpool's return to HK 'to get close to fans' Liverpool ambassador Sami Hyypiä says it's important for the club to come to Hong Kong to get close to fans. File photo: AFP Liverpool legend Sami Hyypiä says the Premier League giant's upcoming match in Hong Kong is a chance for the club to strengthen connections with its many passionate fans in the city. The friendly against Serie A's AC Milan at Kai Tak Stadium on July 26 will be the English club's fourth visit to Hong Kong, following their last appearance in 2017 for the Premier League Asia Trophy. Hyypiä, who is the club's ambassador, told RTHK on Wednesday that he is truly touched by Hong Kong's passion for football, adding that he wants to express his heartfelt thanks to Liverpool fans for their support. "For the club, it's very important that we have these tours around the world... many fans come from far away, or they live far away from Liverpool," he told RTHK. "In Asia, you have to wake up at night to see games. And many people are waking up. So to bring the club a little bit closer to these fans is very important. And that's why it's very important that we come to Asia to play and to be closer to our fans." The Finn also dismissed suggestions that the only reason the Reds were recently crowned Premier League champions was luck. "I heard something that this season Liverpool was lucky, that other teams are not performing as they should perform, but I don't think that," the former centre-back said. "I think Liverpool were just the most consistent team during the season and we deserved to win the league. It's great for Arne Slot to win the league in his first year and not many managers have done it." AC Milan, meanwhile, will be returning to Hong Kong for the first time in 19 years, following a 2004 charity match against local side Kitchee.
